scholarly journals Use of Venn Diagrams to Evaluate Digital Contact Tracing: Results from a Panel Survey Analysis (Preprint)

Author(s):  
Paola Daniore ◽  
Vasileios Nittas ◽  
André Moser ◽  
Marc Höglinger ◽  
Viktor Von Wyl
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Daniore ◽  
Vasilis Nittas ◽  
André Moser ◽  
Marc Höglinger ◽  
Viktor von Wyl

BACKGROUND Mitigation of pandemic spread relies on targeted approaches aimed at preventing non-household interactions. Contact tracing in the form of digital proximity tracing (DPT) apps has been widely adopted in multiple countries due to its perceived added benefits of tracing speed and breadth in comparison to traditional manual contact tracing (MCT). Monitoring of user responses to exposure notifications (EN) can provide insights into the effect of DPT app use on managing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of DPT apps in users taking mitigative actions to reduce infection spread based on nationwide panel data on DPT app use in Switzerland. METHODS We assessed data from the COVID-19 Social Monitor, a nationwide panel study of Swiss residents that classified (a) non-users of the SwissCovid app, (b) users of the SwissCovid app and (c) users of the SwissCovid app who received exposure notifications (EN). A Venn diagram framework was applied to describe the (non-)overlap of these subpopulations with SARS-CoV-2 outcomes. RESULTS 12525 assessments of 2403 participants were included. DPT app users revealed higher adherence to preventive measures than app non-users. 75.9% (95% CI: 60.3-91.5%) of DPT app users revealed taking at least one mitigative action after receiving EN. 30.0% (95% CI: 11.9-54.3%) of the DPT app users also tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 following receipt of EN, which is over three times more than DPT app users who did not receive EN (8.0%, 95% CI: 5.0-11.9%). CONCLUSIONS Response from three out of four individuals to EN reveals a possible contribution of DPT apps to users taking mitigative actions to limit SARS-CoV-2 spread. The analytic approach proposed in this study provides a foundation to researchers and health authorities to comprehensively assess population-level DPT app effectiveness by providing an intuitive framework for monitoring indicator construction. CLINICALTRIAL N/A


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laszlo Horvath ◽  
Susan Banducci ◽  
Joshua Blamire ◽  
Cathrine Degnen ◽  
Oliver James ◽  
...  

Objective: To identify the key individual-level (demographics, attitudes, mobility) and contextual (Covid-19 case numbers, tiers of mobility restrictions, urban districts) determinants of adopting the NHS Covid-19 contact tracing app and continued use over-time. Design and setting: A three-wave panel survey conducted in England in July 2020 (background survey), November 2020 (first measure of mobile app adoption), and March 2021 (continued use of app and new adopters) linked with official data. Primary outcome: Repeated measures of self-reported app usage. Participants: N = 2,500 adults living in England, representative of England's population in terms of regional distribution, age, and gender (2011 census). Results: We observe initial app uptake at 41%, 95% CI [0.39,0.43], in November 2020 with a 12% dropout rate by March 2021, 95% CI [0.10,0.14]. We also found that 7% of nonusers as of wave 2 became new adopters by wave 3, 95% CI [0.05,0.08]. Initial uptake (or failure to use) of the app associated with social norms, privacy concerns, and misinformation about third-party data access, with those living in postal districts with restrictions on mobility less likely to use the app. Perceived lack of transparent evidence of effectiveness was associated with drop out of use. In addition, those who trusted the government were more likely to adopt in wave 3 as new adopters. Conclusions: Successful uptake of the contact tracing app should be evaluated within the wider context of the UK Government's response to the crisis. Trust in government is key to adoption of the app in wave 3 while continued use is linked to perceptions of transparent evidence. Providing clear information to address privacy concerns could increase uptake, however, the disparities in continued use among ethnic minority participants needs further investigation as differences are not fully explained via attitudinal measures.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktor von Wyl ◽  
Marc Höglinger ◽  
Chloé Sieber ◽  
Marco Kaufmann ◽  
André Moser ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Digital proximity tracing apps have been released to mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus known to cause COVID-19. However, it remains unclear how the acceptance and uptake of these apps can be improved. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the coverage of the SwissCovid app and the reasons for its nonuse in Switzerland during a period of increasing incidence of COVID-19 cases. METHODS We collected data between September 28 and October 8, 2020, via a nationwide online panel survey (COVID-19 Social Monitor, N=1511). We examined sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with app use by using multivariable logistic regression, whereas reasons for app nonuse were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS Overall, 46.5% (703/1511) of the survey participants reported they used the SwissCovid app, which was an increase from 43.9% (662/1508) reported in the previous study wave conducted in July 2020. A higher monthly household income (ie, income >CHF 10,000 or >US $11,000 vs income ≤CHF 6000 or <US $6600 [reference]: odds ratio [OR] 1.92, 95% CI 1.40-2.64), more frequent internet use (ie, daily [reference] vs less than weekly: OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.16-0.85), better adherence to recommendations for wearing masks (ie, always or most of the time [reference] vs rarely or never: OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.15-0.52), and nonsmoker status (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.01-1.71) were associated with an increased likelihood for app uptake. Citizenship status (ie, non-Swiss citizenship vs. Swiss [reference]: OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.43-0.87), and language region (French vs Swiss German [reference]: OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.46-0.80) were associated with a lower likelihood for app uptake. Further analysis in a randomly selected subsample (n=712) with more detailed information showed that higher levels of trust in government and health authorities were also associated with a higher likelihood for app uptake (ie, high vs low [reference] trust: OR 3.13, 95% CI 1.58-6.22). The most frequent reasons for app nonuse were lack of perceived benefit of using the app (297/808, 36.8%), followed by the lack of a compatible phone (184/808, 22.8%), and privacy concerns (181/808, 22.4%). CONCLUSIONS Eliminating technical hurdles and communicating the benefits of digital proximity tracing apps are crucial to promote further uptake and adherence of such apps and, ultimately, enhance their effectiveness to aid pandemic mitigation strategies.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Munzert ◽  
Peter Selb ◽  
Anita Gohdes ◽  
Lukas Stoetzer ◽  
Will Lowe

Digital contact tracing apps have been introduced globally as an instrument to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, privacy by design impedes both the evaluation of these tools and the deployment of evidence-based interventions to stimulate uptake. We combine an online panel survey with mobile tracking data to measure the actual usage of Germany's official contact tracing app and reveal increased uptake rates among vulnerable groups, but lower rates among those with frequent social contact. Using a randomized intervention, we show that informative and motivational video messages have very limited effect on uptake. However, findings from a second intervention suggest that even small monetary incentives can strongly increase uptake and help make digital contact tracing a more effective tool.


10.2196/25701 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e25701
Author(s):  
Viktor von Wyl ◽  
Marc Höglinger ◽  
Chloé Sieber ◽  
Marco Kaufmann ◽  
André Moser ◽  
...  

Background Digital proximity tracing apps have been released to mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus known to cause COVID-19. However, it remains unclear how the acceptance and uptake of these apps can be improved. Objective This study aimed to investigate the coverage of the SwissCovid app and the reasons for its nonuse in Switzerland during a period of increasing incidence of COVID-19 cases. Methods We collected data between September 28 and October 8, 2020, via a nationwide online panel survey (COVID-19 Social Monitor, N=1511). We examined sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with app use by using multivariable logistic regression, whereas reasons for app nonuse were analyzed descriptively. Results Overall, 46.5% (703/1511) of the survey participants reported they used the SwissCovid app, which was an increase from 43.9% (662/1508) reported in the previous study wave conducted in July 2020. A higher monthly household income (ie, income >CHF 10,000 or >US $11,000 vs income ≤CHF 6000 or <US $6600 [reference]: odds ratio [OR] 1.92, 95% CI 1.40-2.64), more frequent internet use (ie, daily [reference] vs less than weekly: OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.16-0.85), better adherence to recommendations for wearing masks (ie, always or most of the time [reference] vs rarely or never: OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.15-0.52), and nonsmoker status (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.01-1.71) were associated with an increased likelihood for app uptake. Citizenship status (ie, non-Swiss citizenship vs. Swiss [reference]: OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.43-0.87), and language region (French vs Swiss German [reference]: OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.46-0.80) were associated with a lower likelihood for app uptake. Further analysis in a randomly selected subsample (n=712) with more detailed information showed that higher levels of trust in government and health authorities were also associated with a higher likelihood for app uptake (ie, high vs low [reference] trust: OR 3.13, 95% CI 1.58-6.22). The most frequent reasons for app nonuse were lack of perceived benefit of using the app (297/808, 36.8%), followed by the lack of a compatible phone (184/808, 22.8%), and privacy concerns (181/808, 22.4%). Conclusions Eliminating technical hurdles and communicating the benefits of digital proximity tracing apps are crucial to promote further uptake and adherence of such apps and, ultimately, enhance their effectiveness to aid pandemic mitigation strategies.


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